{"id":35303,"date":"2025-11-24T15:12:33","date_gmt":"2025-11-24T19:12:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/?p=35303"},"modified":"2025-11-25T11:08:31","modified_gmt":"2025-11-25T15:08:31","slug":"best-of-the-best-2026-north-american-car-truck-and-utility-of-year-finalists-announced","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/2025\/11\/best-of-the-best-2026-north-american-car-truck-and-utility-of-year-finalists-announced","title":{"rendered":"‘Best of the best’: 2026 North American Car, Truck and Utility of Year finalists announced"},"content":{"rendered":"

And then there were nine.<\/p>\n

The North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year awards unveiled the 2026 model year finalists Thursday with three contenders in each category. Finalists for Car of the Year are the Dodge Charger, Honda Prelude and Nissan Sentra. The Ford Maverick Lobo, Ram 1500 Hemi and Ram 2500 will fight it out for Truck of the Year. And for Utility of the Year \u2014 by far the largest category of new vehicles hitting the market \u2014 jurors will consider the Hyundai Palisade, Lucid Gravity and Nissan Leaf.<\/p>\n

Finalists were announced at the opening of the 2026 Los Angeles Auto Show, and the winners will be crowned at the Detroit Auto Show on Jan. 14.<\/p>\n

\"North<\/p>\n
<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

Fifty jurors (including the author of this article) from U.S. and Canadian media outlets selected the finalists after testing 30 nominees across all categories, 19 of them SUVs. Of the nine finalists, two are electric. Nominee average price is $46,248 with the $96.5k Gravity the most expensive model and the $23.4k Sentra the cheapest.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese finalists show the wide range of choices that consumers have in the marketplace,\u201d said Jeff Gilbert, president of NACTOY and automotive reporter at WWJ Radio (950 AM). \u201cOur jury of distinguished auto reporters has come up with a great selection of fantastic vehicles that truly reflect the best of the best.\u201d<\/p>\n

Count the Sentra, Ram 1500 and Leaf as front runners.<\/p>\n

\"New<\/figure>\n
\n

New for 2026, the $23k Nissan Sentra maintains its affordable price, while upgrading interior and exterior design. Henry Payne, The Detroit News<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

In the car category, the Charger and Prelude mark the return of sexy, legendary badges. Detroit\u2019s sentimental favorite will be the $51,990 Charger, reborn for \u201826 after the previous, V8-powered generation exited the market in 2023 chased by federal emissions regulations. The Charger Daytona EV replacement has been a misfit with muscle car buyers, so the new, gas-fired Charger (dubbed Sixpack after its high-horsepower, twin-turbo inline-6 cylinder engine) is well-timed for hungry customers and a change in Washington management. Dressed in a sleek, retro-\u201860s, Coke-bottle wardrobe, Charger Sixpack also boasts a more refined chassis, interior and utilitarian hatchback.<\/p>\n

For the first time since 2001, Prelude is back with a different mission. As its badge implies, the sporty, $43,195 coupe is a prelude to Honda\u2019s future. The Japanese automaker is leaning into gas-electric hybrids and hatchback Prelude is a hybrid halo showcasing good looks, peppy drivetrain and an S+ Shift tech feature that simulates a gearbox in an e-motor-driven car that doesn\u2019t have one.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/figure>\n
\n

The 2026 Dodge Charger Sixpack is built on the same, flexible STLA Large platform as the electric Charger Daytona. Henry Payne, The Detroit News<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Cool, but count Sentra the jury favorite. At a time when the average price for a new vehicle is over 50 grand, the $23,645 compact sedan is affordable without being cheap. While its 149-horse 4-banger won\u2019t wow, its sleek looks and high-tech interior will. Twin, hoodless digital screens and wireless Android Auto\/Apple CarPlay indicate Sentra punches above its weight.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/figure>\n
\n

The 2026 Honda Prelude is a stylish GT that is comfortable to cruise, drive on track, or just to look at. Henry Payne, The Detroit News<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The Truck Wars are dominated by Detroit brands with Ram securing two spots with its refreshed, light-duty 1500 and heavy-duty 2500 pickups.<\/p>\n

Ram 1500 is the front-runner. Like sister Stellantis brand Dodge, Ram spiked its Hemi V-8 \u2014 the choice of most buyers \u2014 for the \u201825 model year, which led to a swoon in sales. The eight-holer (officially the eTorque V-8) is back for ’26 with a rebel\u2019s yell.<\/p>\n

\"Ram<\/figure>\n
\n

Ram is bringing back the Hemi V-8 engine in its 1500 pickups. They are expected to reach dealers this summer. Stellantis<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Ram has stamped every V-8 model\u2019s fender with the \u201cSymbol of Protest\u201d badge featuring a ram\u2019s head atop a Hemi engine. Available in a dizzying array of trims, from work truck Tradesman to off-road Rebel to refined Longhorn, the Ram boasts one of the most refined interiors \u2014 and rides \u2014 in the truck biz. The Heavy Duty never lost its V-8 or diesel engines (spared by separate federal emissions rules) and brings Ram refinement to the big truck space.<\/p>\n